Improvement in preserving-cans



0. N. WEAVER.

Extracting Air from Fruit Cans.

No. 24,770. Patented -JuIy1 2, I859,

WpZn $836 In we nzar I sists in a finely-tapered tube, E, connected by thread, and the plug D d, having been forced UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER N. WVEAVER, OF DOVER, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN PRESERVING-CANS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 24,770, dated July 12, 1659.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER N. WEAVER, of Dover, Mason county, Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Self-Sealing Apparatus for Preserve Cans; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification.

The invention relates to a device by which the aperture through which the gaseous contents of a can are drawn by the act of exhausting closes of itself upon the withdrawal of the exhausting-tube; and it consists in the application of a finely-punctured plug, of gum (eaoutehouc) to a screw-threaded tapering mouth or nozzle of a can or jar, the exhaust being effected through a tube adapted to readily penetrate the plug through said puncture without tearing its substance, and to be as readily withdrawn at the proper mo ment. Figure 1 is an axial section of a can and exhaustcr. Fig. 2 is a top view of the can. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the exhaustingnozzle. Fig. 4 is an axial section representing the plug in position in the can top after the withdrawal of the nozzle. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view exhibiting the shape of the lower end of the nozzle.

A represents a can or jar, its top or cover 13 being provided with a tapering screw mouth, 0.

l) is a plug of gum, of the same taper form as the mouth 0, but so much larger as to be somewhat compressed by the action of screwing it into the mouth of the can.

cl is a slight puncture made entirely through the plug coincident with its axial line.

The essential feature of my exhauster conmeans of a flexible tube, F, with a suitable exhauster, which may consist of a large metallic globe, G, whose contained vapor is by turns rarefied and condensed by alternate contact with hot and cold water.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the arrangement. Thus, for example, the mouth 0 may be without a screwinto it, may be held down by a ring secured to the top of the can, and the mouth, instead of being tapering, may have a slight lip or pro jeetion inward from its lower margin.

Operation: The vessel being filled, the cover, being already supplied with its plug, is secured, and the can and contents havingbeen brought to suitable heat, (about 180,) the n0zzle of the heated exhauster is inserted through the plug into the vessel, and the exhauster is then immediately plunged into cold water, so as to create a partial vacuum, into which the greater part of the volatile contents of the can will instantly pass. then removed, the elasticity of the rubber causes it to completely close the hole d, so as to exclude the external air. To force the plug into the mouth of the can, a common screwdriver will be found to be effective. When it is desired to seal the top of the plug with wax, the plug is driven down far enough to leave a sufficient cavity to hold the wax. It will be seen that this plan necessitates no airtight surface for the foot of the exhauster, so that any form or kind of vessel havingasuitable mouth for the insertion-of the plug (as a common glass bottle) could be made to serve.

In the usual mode of scaling in connection with an exhaust, the small disk of oil -silk used for a valve is extremely liable to displacement, and unless the foot of the exhauster fits the top of the can a leakage of air will take place, and the wax with which the disk is subsequently sealed is liable to be knocked off. The mode here described avoids all these defects, is extremely simple, cheap, and easily operated, being within the comprehension and ability of a child.

What I claim as new and of my invention herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

The perforated elastic plug D d, secured in the top of a provision-can, in the described combination with a nozzle, E, and tube F, communicating with an exhausting-chamber, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set'my hand.

0. N. XVEAVER.

\Vitnesses:

ABEL SHAwm FRANCIS MILLwAnD.

The nozzle being 

